How to Balance a Broom on Your Body

This fun experiment will teach you how to find the center of gravity for any household, long-handled broom.

Instructions

Step 1: Hold the broom Hold the broom horizontally on your index fingers of both hands, with your hands spread as far apart as you can.

Step 2: Bring your fingers together Bring your fingers together along the length of the broom, slowly.

TIP: Notice that the finger closest to the broom's head doesn't move nearly as much as the other finger.

Step 3: Close the distance Continue closing the distance between your fingers until your fingers are together. The point on the broom where your fingers meet is the broom's center of gravity.

Step 4: Balance on one finger Mark the broom's center of gravity with a pencil. Then, holding out an index finger, place the mark on top of your finger and balance the broom.

Step 5: Try it again Hold the broom in the original position again. Then try moving only one finger at a time. You'll find that, no matter which finger you move, they come together at the same center of gravity.

Step 6: Balance on other body parts Try balancing the broom on other body parts. Try your nose. Lay on your back and balance it on one foot. No matter where you try to balance the broom, if the resting point is the broom's center of gravity, you'll be able to balance it.

FACT: An object thrown through the air may spin and rotate, but its center of gravity will follow a smooth parabolic path, just like a ball.